Release Date: 1 August 1999
Mos Def
Black on Both Sides
Since I’m going to see Mos Def on Friday (now goes by Yasiin Bey), I’ve had this one banging in the heavy rotation for the last couple of weeks. An absolute classic album that any true hip-hop head will have a strong familiarity with, every time I listen to this I find something else that just blows my mind. I did a detailed write up of this one too, which I’d love for you to check out and let me know what you think.
Genre:
Hip-Hop, Rap, Classic East Coast Rap, Conscious Rap
Tasting notes:
A classic rap album with thought-provoking lyrics covering a range of complex topics.
Standout Tracks
Got is an all-time favourite of mine, as is Mr N***a which features the GOAT Q-Tip on production and vocals.
New World Water
Mathematics, I’ve never heard anyone rap using numbers as a basis of topic so articulately
Looking for more:
Blackstar’s album is just as good in my opinion. The Roots, Common & A Tribe Called Quest all deserve a listen if this is your kind of music.
Release Date: 10 May 2024
Conway the Machine & Method Man
Meth back! (feat. SK Da King & Flee Lord
I think Conway the Machine is one of the best lyricists in the game at the moment and, like the rest of Griselda, has a crazy work ethic, putting out more tracks than I can keep up with. One thing I will say about this is that sometimes it diminishes the quality of the overall projects, which you could argue could be a bit cleaner overall in some instances. BUT, there’s always a couple of gems and in this case, that gem happens to be in collaboration with the one and only Method Man. I’d say he got the pick of the beats as this one is filthy. The other two features hold up, but they aren’t quite on the same level as Conway and Meth. My only wish from this one is that Benny the Butcher jumped on it, I think he would’ve murdered.
Genre:
Hip-Hop, Rap
Tasting notes:
East Coast NYC style rap
Looking for more:
Anything from Griselda (Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine, Benny the Butcher)
Release Date: 4 May 2022
Chip Wickham
Astral Travelling
One of the coolest names in modern jazz, Chip Wickham is a reed instrument jazz musician originally from Brighton. He studied in Manchester before coming involved in the 00’s UK jazz, soul, trip-hop and funk scenes, working with the likes of The Pharcyde, The New Mastersounds and Nightmares On Wax as well as playing with Matthew Halsall’s Gondwana Orchestra. He’s had an illustrious career and has plenty for you to check out if you like this. He’s one of my staples and I always go back to his work when I’m on a walk or trying to wind down.
Genre:
Jazz, Reed Instrument Jazz
Tasting notes:
Really calming and relaxing jazz, great for ambience when outdoors or for finding places of calm
Looking for more:
He has a huge discography so check out the rest of his work. Matthew Halsall is also a similar vibe
Release Date: 16 Spetember 2003
Viktor Vaughn
Vaudeville Villain
This album is one of rap legend MF DOOM’s lesser-known pieces of work, which is most likely due to the different alias he released it under. However, it is a fan favourite with many having it at the top of the pile. The album covers the story of Viktor Vaughn, a time-travelling street hustler and his arch into villainy. The name is a play on the real name of the Fantastic Four’s arch-enemy Victor Von Doom a.k.a Dr. Doom. I highly recommend checking it out if you’ve never listened, and if you have, take dive a bit deeper into the meaning and the story throughout, as it has so much depth to explore.
Genre:
Hip-Hop, Rap
Tasting notes:
Lyrical prowess with a fun and tantalising story being told throughout, some of DOOM’s best work.
Standout Tracks
There’s so many off this album if I had to pick a few I’d go Lickupon, Can I Watch, A Dead Mouse & Untitled a.K.A Change the Beat
Looking for more:
Besides the most well-known DOOM albums, Dangermouse and MF DOOM’s album The Mouse & the Mask is another often forgotten album from DOOM which is incredible from the same era. More recently, the DOOM album with CZARFACE is slept on
